PL5400 problem...already

One of the first modifications to my new 2014 TRD was the

$100 PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with Bolt Codeable Technology for Toyota Tacoma

PL5400 from Pop & Lock. It was easy to install and worked as advertised, inserted the ignition key and it coded perfectly. As some have already noted the turning radius is very small (i.e. goes from the 12 o'clock position to 2 o'clock), but it was working well.

I say was b/c as of tonight, less than one week after installation it's decided not to work. I unlocked the tailgate and was working in the garage, after a couple of hours I put the tailgate back up and attempted to turn the key to the right to lock the handle and it wouldn't budge. I didn't force it...took the key out and tried again to make sure it was fully inserted before turning and it still wouldn't turn, right or left. Tried a few more times...nothing.

Thankfully the lock has chosen to freeze in the unlocked position so I can open the tailgate without having to pry off my tonneau. I removed the tailgate cover to see if the mechanism or any parts were binding and I can't see anything wrong. The lock mechanism (which basically disables the handle function) still works if I toggle it manually, but the damn key won't turn when inserted.

So, I've got an email into Pop & Lock to see what they think, but my initial thoughts are:

(1) Perhaps the lock mechanism itself has actually frozen. This would be odd since it was in the -30C temperatures last week when I installed and it's now only -1C so I'm not sure why the warmer temps have caused a problem, unless there's moisture as a result of the slightly more humid weather and that's frozen at night??

(2) Somehow the lock has un-coded or de-coded itself...does anyone have experience with this bolt lock technology on other devices or machines and has this happened?

 

This worries me. I have a tonneau on my bed. And if the key were to stop working like yours how would we get the tailgate open again without prying up or cutting into the cover? So now I'm not sure what to do? What's easier to fix if gone bad? A key lock? Or a fob keyless lock??

 

Kinda' dupe.
He was talking about it in the

$100 PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with Bolt Codeable Technology for Toyota Tacoma

PL5400 thread... they're going to send him a new one and he's returning this one.
Got everyone in that thread operating theirs frequently and so far no issues reported.

I have not operated mine since I installed it.

 

I wouldnt rule out the frozen issue. I have to load my tonneau cover lock tumbler full of 3 in 1 to keep it operational throughout the winter

 

Hey guys...rule out the frozen theory (at least from a temperature perspective). I park in a heated garage during the workday so it's had plenty of opportunity to thaw and still isn't working. Could be frozen/seized from winter road gunk and salt, but after only 1 week I'd be surprised. When I phoned the company they didn't hesitate on sending a new one so I'm happy so far with the customer service. They also didn't note any similar reports of the issue I'm experiencing, so take that for what it's worth.

The install was easy and the product works as advertised. I'm hoping as others have mentioned that I just ended up with the 1 out of x that didn't work. I haven't received the new one yet (only talked with them late last week), but I will be sending them the broken unit for inspection so they can see if it's something that needs to be looked at further or just a one off issue.

Teamfast, you're dealing with the same weather I am right now...I'll have to take your advice and use a spray lubricant regularly on the lock.

 

After having it work for a month, this happened to mine today. Like yours, luckily it froze in the unlocked position. I was also working on the truck with the tailgate open last night installing BAMF passenger and driver CB mounts.The

$100 PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with Bolt Codeable Technology for Toyota Tacoma

PL5400 was installed around 12/18/13. I just sent Pop & Lock a message about it since they are closed now.

 

The

$210 PL8540 Pop & Lock – Power Tailgate Smart Lock Combo with Bolt Technology for Toyota Tacoma, Fits 2005 to 2015 Models (OEM Color Black, PL8540)

PL8540 combo kit that I installed 2 weeks ago is still going strong, manual and power lock/un-lock.

 

Update - I haven't received the replacement part yet but today the lock started working again. I was just about to head upstairs from my parking spot (underground heated parking) and figured I'd try the lock since I'd been spraying liberally with WD-40 for the past week (two shots every evening). Low and behold it finally worked!

I wonder if it was just filled with road gunk to the point of seizing. Unfortunately this time of year in Ontario we have salt spread on the roads every day and my black truck is basically white with a bit of black above the window line I wouldn't have thought 1 week of driving was enough to cause that much build up on a brand new part, but lesson learned. I'll continue to monitor and perhaps invest in something to cover the keyhole to prevent this as much as possible. I don't think it was temperature related b/c I had just arrived at work after parking outside overnight.

 

I havent bought mine because ive seen a couple of threads pop up describing this issue.

 

+1 I'm waiting until the guinea pigs have their run at the problems first

 

Don't think the failure on mine was road gunk or cold weather. I'm in Las Vegas, no salt on the roads, no snow, not cold, just some dust, but doubt that much could have made it's way up in the lock. Mine quit working all of a sudden too. On 01/27/14 Pop & Lock said they can send me a new lock under warranty, but never confirmed that they will send me a new lock. I replied to confirm my address with them, but they did not reply back that anything was shipped or in the process of being shipped. I've sent them another email yesterday, but no reply or replacement as of now. So I'm just left hanging and waiting ...

 

Not a fan of mine, feels very cheap. I'm probably going to go back to stock.

 

It I were you I would call them directly instead of dealing with emails. Not really sure how their customer service is because I haven't had any problems with my mine since installing *knock on wood*.

 

I've tried calling a few times, but it's usually about 30 mins before they close and it just goes to a voicemail. I just keep forgetting they are in a different time zone. I'll try to call them earlier in the day on Monday.

 

I sent an email and didn't hear anything so I called during business hours and managed to get someone on the phone. She listened to me describe the issue and wasn't sure what it could be but agreed to send a new one. She took my address and name and said they were shipping it out at the start of the following week (I called on a Friday). I haven't seen it yet, but it takes a couple of weeks with customs etc so I should see something this week.

 

Add me to the pissed off list too. Got my

$100 PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with Bolt Codeable Technology for Toyota Tacoma

PL5400 from etrailer and installed it last week. Worked like a charm after the install and now a full week later, the key won't unlock the tailgate! Fan(freaking)tasktic! I was supposed to help by brother move today and since I can't unlock my tailgate and also have a bed cover, I have to bail on him.

Edit: Just sent them an email due to them being closed on the weekend. Will follow up first thing Monday morning.

 

Wouldn't you just unlock your tonneau cover and lift it up and then take the tailgate plastics off and expose the backside of the lock?

 

Pop & Lock did send out a replacement and I received it today. Swapped it out and keyed it to my truck. The old one was a little dusty, but nothing built up on it. Sending them the old one back on Monday when UPS is open.

 

Not sure what type of tonneau the OP has, but in my case I've got a solid tri fold which clamps down at the back (about 8" in from the tailgate). If the lock on the tailgate was jammed in the lock position it would require prying the tonneau upwards to the point of breaking the rear clamps to get it free and remove the plastic from the back of the tailgate to release the lock. I think that's the issue he was referring to...

 

Great to hear P & L actually replace it with a new one. I'm thinking there's just those bad batch that got out.